Honorees

Steeped in history and inspired by the first event held 37 years ago, the mission of the Northern New Jersey Golf Classic is simple: to raise funds for cancer research, education, advocacy and service - to benefit patients, survivors, and their families.

Mike Savino was 44 when he would get the news that would change his life forever. An accident, getting hit in the ear with a racquetball, would send him to the doctor and save his life. When getting his ear examined, the doctor noticed a lump on his neck and sent it off to be tested. It would be that lump that would put Mike into a 23-year battle with multiple forms of cancer. That lump was tested positive for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Mike started chemotherapy immediately. The cancers Mike fought were proven to be from Agent Orange exposure during his time as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army while serving his country in Vietnam. Over the next 23 years he would battle multiple rounds of treatments, experimental drugs, bone marrow transplants, prostate cancer and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Though it took a toll on Mike, he never lost his positive attitude and persevered through it all. He knew his family needed him and he was focused on being there to watch his children grow up, his grandchildren be born, and his sons find their way in life. He got the opportunity to live in remission for many years and because of that he was able to travel with his wife Cathy, spend time at the Jersey Shore with family, and make lasting and fond memories with the ones he loved. Over the 23 years since his diagnosis, Mike was able to build his company and secure his legacy as a smart and dedicated leader. His company, Certified Financial Services, was built with his partners by his side, supporting him through his entire ordeal. Together they grew CFS into a philanthropic firm that continues to make a huge impact on the community through education and charity. CFS was, and always will be, Mike’s second family and he dedicated his life to ensuring its continuation.

Mike’s remission also gave him the ability to volunteer his time and money for charities he cared deeply about, to coach his sons’ hockey teams and attend all of their games, and to make memories that will last forever with those he experienced them with. He was a driven man, a passionate man, one with great morality and one who cared for all those who needed caring. He was selfless and loving, and put the needs of others even before his own. Mike lived a full life but, for all those that loved him, was taken too soon as he lost his battle with cancer on April 12, 2016. Mike will be missed by all those who knew him as well as all those people whose lives he made an impact on. But, as we move forward, we know, Mike didn't lose his battle with cancer, he beat the odds and lived a full life. He had 23 years to live every day to its fullest and spent it doing the things that mattered the most to him. Though he will be deeply missed, more importantly he will be remembered. Remembered for his vibrant attitude, his powerful presence, his understanding demeanor, and his thirst for knowledge. His life was lived with the notion of brevity, knowing that one day his cancer could come back. Just as all those people in remission, he didn't know when so he took every moment, every day, to live life with purpose and to focus on the needs of others before his own; a purpose we can all aspire to and learn from. Even though he is gone, he will live on in all those he has inspired and helped.

Rooted in its mission, vision and values is the commitment of Kessler Rehabilitation Center to the communities it serves. That sense of social responsibility and outreach is clearly in evidence at its more than 95 outpatient physical therapy centers located across New Jersey. “As the state’s largest network of outpatient rehabilitation centers, our team is dedicated to the delivery of exceptional care to patients with orthopedic, sports, hand and work-related injuries,” said Bill Anastassatos, president of Kessler Rehabilitation Center. “We are equally dedicated to supporting the overall health and wellness needs of our communities by providing educational programs, and increasing awareness for important causes like cancer treatment and research. That is why this recognition from the American Cancer Society is so very meaningful.”

Thanks to the generosity of its employees, patients and families, Kessler Rehabilitation Center, the outpatient network of Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, has once again demonstrated this commitment not only by raising funds to benefit the ACS, but through the development of an important new Cancer Rehabilitation Program.

Under the direction of renowned cancer rehabilitation specialist, Michael A. Stubblefield, M.D., Kessler’s ReVital® Cancer Rehabilitation Program provides survivors with the care and treatment to optimize their health, strength and abilities – and improve their quality of life.

“This unique program focuses on survivorship – and provides the comprehensive services that enable our patients to best manage this disease and the many challenges it presents. In addition, we offer each patient the support, understanding and education that can make a difference in life ahead,” explained Dr. Stubblefield, Medical Director of Cancer Rehabilitation, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and National Medical Director for Cancer Rehabilitation, Select Medical.

Kessler Rehabilitation Center is both proud and humbled to be honored by the American Cancer Society for our work.

If you would like to support our honorees by purchasing a sponsorship, congratulatory advertisements, or event tickets, please contact Lacey LaManna.

About Us

For more than a 100 years, The American Cancer Society has been leading the fight to end cancer. With your support, we have helped usher in an era where more people survive cancer than ever before. By translating our research findings into action, we've seen a 20% decline in US cancer death rates since the early 1990s. Join us to help finish the fight.